OnTheMarket shows its muscle over ‘one other portal’ rule

| Rosalind Renshaw

The ‘one other portal’ rule is being actively policed by OnTheMarket, which has confirmed that one firm has been identified as breaching the rule.

Chief executive Ian Springett said the firm was Statons, which has six offices in Hertfordshire and north London.

He told Eye: “We have hidden our member Statons at present as they have not complied with one other portal – as opposed to many trying to get themselves off Zoopla having given notice of termination in good time.

“We have a good relationship with the firm and will be meeting with them shortly to discuss the position.”

It is understood that OTM, whose national advertising campaign kicked off yesterday with a large display advert in the Sunday Times and which also appears in today’s Telegraph,  may have been alerted to the situation regarding Statons via a tweet.

Meanwhile, the media battle continued with signs of strong briefings to journalists. Columnist Alexandra Goss in yesterday’s Home supplement in the Sunday Times told readers that “it’s worth a shot” for sellers to try and negotiate a discount on an OTM agent’s fees.

The column quotes Paula Higgins of the Home Owners Alliance, who said that a search for a flat in Forest Hill, London, revealed 24 listings on OTM, 95 on Rightmove and 127 on Zoopla. Higgins said: “Which portal would you use to look for a place to live in Forest Hill? Exactly.”

Goss herself concludes: “Times are tough enough for buyers and sellers without the added worry that – in this digital age, when we rely on smartphones for everything from ordering a takeaway to buying shares – homes for sale and rent aren’t getting the exposure they need.”

 

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65 Comments

  1. ukpropmaster
    February 2, 2015 at 07:04

    Unfortunately, enforcing the rule by removing inventory is a little self-defeating don't you think? What would they do if it was a much larger member breaking the rules (e.g. Savills)? Every property they remove weakens the product offering and could jeopardise the longevity of the project.

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    1. BigRoyston
      February 2, 2015 at 07:37

      NOT enforcing the one other portal rule will be very risky for OTM – they must show they're serious irrespective of the size or standing of the offending agent . It's a credibility issue .

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      1. ukpropmaster
        February 2, 2015 at 08:16

        Wasn't advocating for them NOT enforcing the rule, only finding a more creative way to do so. By taking properties off their own site they are only hurting themselves. And when they send an invoice to Statons–that's money they are never going to see. Two problems I see with that: 1) that's vital funding they need to keep up their advertising budget, etc and 2) more importantly, by letting them off easily they are effectively highlighting to others that the "5-year contract" really is bunk and that member firms are free to walk away at any time.

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  2. EAMD
    February 2, 2015 at 07:35

    RULES IS RULES!! If you start weak then you've nowhere to go.

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  3. danny
    February 2, 2015 at 08:06

    Easiest way out of a 5 year contract …

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    1. Robert May
      February 2, 2015 at 09:45

      I don't think it is, it is the easiest way for both to spend money on Litigation for breach! One of the points raised by a small independant here. "What if I sell or want to retire? "It is a 5 year contract and will will pursue the balance"

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      1. 1stTimeBuyer
        February 2, 2015 at 12:08

        Register the a new business name Joe Bloggs Estate Agents Ltd, litigate the existing the contract is tied to. Continue trading as normal… bit of a pain, but gets you out of 5 years contract surely.

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        1. Robert May
          February 2, 2015 at 14:06

          Pheonixing a good business isn't the way to get out of a contract.

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      2. danny
        February 2, 2015 at 14:32

        I'd imagine as it's never been tested Agents. Mutual will be keen to avoid a day in court too see if their contract stands up, you could unfair contract terms and host of things , I'd imagine they will just write it down …

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  4. Ric
    February 2, 2015 at 08:16

    Which headline would have got the most stick from the "any argument will do brigade"………………… "OTM do not enforce the other portal rule" or "OTM are strong over the other portal rule"…………………… damned if they do and damned if they don't.

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  5. Ewan Foreman
    February 2, 2015 at 08:29

    Do consumers have a divine right to a single portal that shows every property in the UK for rent or for sale? Of course they don't. I would even go so far as to say that they enjoy a bit of variety.

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  6. RealAgent
    February 2, 2015 at 08:41

    Are they not also the firm that were on this site not long ago saying it was there logo on the TV advert…..bit awkward all around if that is the case. I also think last week should have given most agents enough time to take their properties off one of the other portals however.

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    1. Paul H
      February 2, 2015 at 08:53

      No different company…the logo used is one of a very reputable company up
      North…..I really am not too worried about agents sticking to the one other portal rule main reason being is that as each day goes by agents will slowly but surely begin to realise that they never needed 2 portals anyway, this will enable OTM to gain a real foothold from which to build from.

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      1. smile please
        February 2, 2015 at 09:13

        Seriously not bothered about if an agent keeps to the one other portal rule? – Whats the point of OTM! surely then its just another portal? If they are on all 3 i bet it means they will not list 48 hours on OTM first then. From one of the most vocal supporters of OTM Paul H must admit i am surprised by your thoughts.

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        1. Paul H
          February 2, 2015 at 09:21

          You've Mis understood my post Smile Please…I meant that I'm not worried about agents not sticking to the rule in other words I strongly believe that they WILL stick to it especially as they will soon realise that they don't need 2 portals. The one other portal rule is critical to agents mutual if it's dropped then I don't think it will succeed.

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          1. smile please
            February 2, 2015 at 09:38

            I did misunderstand Paul, For a moment i thought you had a namesake like myself!! Ric, Not sure if the weakest or the strongest would be on all three portals? Some agents always except there is a cost to business and happy to pay whatever they feel gives them an advantage.

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        2. Ric
          February 2, 2015 at 09:23

          Got to say smile please (against all logic of the rule) it would not bother me either…… let ALL agents on of ALL types and ALL 3 websites…….. this way as other stronger agents have shown, only the weak would register for all three, most OTM agents (I assume) would not go back to "the one they dropped" as clear supporters of the core logic behind OTM and if OTM then ended with 80% to 100% of stock, you would find lots of the original OTM agents will have a better opportunity to drop RM…… you only need one portal IMO (I don't care there are more, choice is good) but for me just get me to a place when I can choose to be on just 1 and the right 1….. and perhaps opening the doors to all is the quicker way to get OTM to a 100% stocked site, as if it was……how many would drop the other 2 to be on just 1 and 1 we all control?

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          1. Paul H
            February 2, 2015 at 09:42

            I agree with a lot of your points there Ric, but I genuinely don't think that the one other portal rule will need to be dropped. As I said when agents OnTheMarket realise that they don't need 2 portals the penny will also drop for non OTM agents it really is just a matter of time.

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          2. Robert May
            February 2, 2015 at 09:51

            Paul if there were to be a vote that hinged on strengthening AM and increasing membership by up to another qualifying 11000 branches if the One other portal rule was dropped, How would you vote and how do you think the other 1532 (ish) agents would vote?

            (Please remember this is only a question and a reaction to the discussion taking place)

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          3. Ric
            February 2, 2015 at 10:31

            I would vote yes! I get the "one other portal rule" and what this has done is sort the talkers from the doers……(it was a master stroke for launch)……………. however there are lots of "talkers" who would "do" if they could see traffic and success…………….. however I doubt all the pro talk in the world from the AM members like me and the reps will truly convince them to join this year as if they continue to produce the same business levels as they do now, they will remain content…………… I would perhaps vote for a 6 month trial period for fence sitters being allowed to join in, try it and if they like it they have to then drop 1 (so this applies to RM/Z fence sitters only) if in 6 months they do not like OFF they come…. they could even make properties invisible on Z to see if people notice, thus testing the theory of dropping Z without actually doing so………….. For me as a owner, who turns in a 7am every morning and is out there valuing houses and sits in the main office for all to question and talk to, I am confident I would lose no more now than I usually do if I were on OTM/RM and the others were on OTM/RM/Z…….. I know this because being on RM alone has not changed a thing against RM/Z agents………………. There has to be an end agreement to "drop the others or at least one" so this would not work for AM as an open ended exercise BUT it is certainly something which would drive membership and therefore much needed traffic.

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      2. RealAgent
        February 2, 2015 at 09:50

        Ah ok my apologies for casting aspersions then. I suspect its also a question of economics as well, realistically I can't see many believing they would get good value out of advertising with all three portals, but short term we need agents to abide by this ruling to ensure that OTM is widely recognised to be the second biggest portal, that really is the only way agents will continue to join it. On another point, I was surprised how any people I knew saw the adverts over the weekend. I did point out that they clearly watched any old rubbish on tv!

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        1. Paul H
          February 2, 2015 at 10:02

          Robert…it is at this stage only guess work that dropping the rule could strengthen membership. If it is dropped now then OTM will fail. Real agent is correct in his way of thinking, the rule must be kept and after time the penny will drop for agents on both sides of the fence. Dropping it now is not an option and one that the people at OTM towers would even consider.

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          1. Robert May
            February 2, 2015 at 10:18

            Mark Twain wrote wisely on such matters Paul. With the numbers now known and the effects on both RM an Zoopla also known that one rule needs reviewing urgently and follow up calls, 3666 of them, need to be made if the stated aims of AM are to be achieved.

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  7. Taff
    February 2, 2015 at 09:09

    Good. Name and shame every smartarse. Start as you mean to go on.

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    1. Robert May
      February 2, 2015 at 10:14

      You might remember the short discussion about Agents failing to notify their applicants or clients and failing to incorporate the OTM logo in the press advertising, did those agents ought to be named and shamed in a similar fashion or would it perhaps be better to approach the whole release process in a way that doesn't cause as much, if not more, embarrassment as the misdemeanours themselves?
      There is already uncertainty over the exceptions to the rules; an agent owned Property Sharing experts, in or out? it seems to be out but the site is still live, empty but not redirected to OTM as I would have expected. I am not being critical but AM really does need an Attention to detail director who is dealing with all these growing pains privately and on an individual basis.

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  8. surrey1
    February 2, 2015 at 09:30

    "Paula Higgins of the Home Owners Alliance, who said that a search for a flat in Forest Hill, London, revealed 24 listings on OTM, 95 on Rightmove and 127 on Zoopla." If the Countrywide policy in Forest Hill is anything like their policy in my corner of Surrey, 100 of those Zoopla listings will have been sold months ago.

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  9. MF
    February 2, 2015 at 09:39

    "a search for a flat in Forest Hill, London, revealed 24 listings on OTM, 95 on Rightmove….. " There are so many way to portray an image; no doubt the journalists out there will strive to serve their respective masters well (irrespective of what the true picture might be).

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  10. Woodentop
    February 2, 2015 at 10:14

    "The column quotes Paula Higgins of the Home Owners Alliance". Who, not the women who is working out of a mail addressing behind a café? I have some serious doubts about the HOA. There is a strong bias towards being anti estate agent and her comments are just ridiculous. Rome wasn't built in a day and OTM was only launched to the public media yesterday and has far more stock than RM or Z had when they started out, I remember it well as I was one of the few independents to list on those two sites from day one.

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  11. Harree
    February 2, 2015 at 10:16

    Since last Wednesday when all of our local AM agents came off Z and left us as the predominant Z agents we have received three valuation leads – two instructed, one received in the last hour. That is two more valuation leads than we have received from Z in the last three months! Thank you AM, keep up the good work.

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    1. Francis henry
      February 2, 2015 at 10:21

      likewise we love zoopla

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    2. Property Pundit
      February 2, 2015 at 11:04

      Of course you did Harree and all because you stayed with zoopla. Pathetic.

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    3. RealAgent
      February 2, 2015 at 11:07

      I could turn around and say we had the best take on week that we have had for three years last week: but frankly I would sound as pathetic and petty as you just did Harree.

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      1. Harree
        February 2, 2015 at 11:44

        RealAgent … my three valuation leads from Z since last Wednesday and two instructions (to date) are FANTASTIC for me … you can keep your pathetic opinions.

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        1. RealAgent
          February 2, 2015 at 11:52

          Your post was nothing more than an anti OTM one, not in anyway relevant to the headline of the article and not in anyway linked to the comments from others that preceded it…..like I said, pathetic!

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          1. Harree
            February 2, 2015 at 12:27

            FANTASTIC business for me RealAgent … whatever you think is immaterial to me.

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    4. davehedgehog
      February 2, 2015 at 13:33

      Harree, you are so predictable, surely if you are doing so well from Agents dropping Zoopla why plaster it all over PIE?

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  12. Taff
    February 2, 2015 at 10:41

    I am convinced that the No 1 Portal site, will be the one we (collectively) WANT to be the No 1 Portal site. Why would we want any other competing portal to be stronger than our own OTM? Some facts: A week before launch, in my county RM had the most stock. Last night the number of RM stock in the County had dropped by 60% and the stock in my town had dropped by 65%. That's as near as dammit two thiords of RM stock wiped out in a week. My only concern is that we have now made Z the No 1 portal. Think about it, the vast majority of agents in my area are on OTM & Z. But Z also shows the "online only" agents – which by definition will have more stock than OTM, as OTM won't accept properties from "online only" agents. The more I see of OTM, the more impressed I am; their support is by far the best I've seen, and their national advertising seems very organised. In fact, I'm already starting to think we should ditch Z too and just concentrate on OTM. If all the agents in my area think the same way, we could very easily make OTM the No 1 Portal.

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    1. Woodentop
      February 2, 2015 at 13:08

      And the light came on! That's it in a nutshell.

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  13. OnTheFence
    February 2, 2015 at 10:45

    I received a touting letter through my door on Friday 30th Jan 2015 dated 26th Jan 2015 (OTM launch day) from KFH (AM board member) and I quote: 'All properties are featured on 11 additional property websites including Rightmove, Zoopla and Primelocation, in local press and the London Evening Standard.' Over to you OTM to close down KFH listings; clearly even the board members are ignoring the rule.

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    1. Harree
      February 2, 2015 at 11:45

      Unbelievable from an AM board member … especially when the flagrant breach of the one portal rule is included in a touting letter! Whatever next?

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      1. Paul H
        February 2, 2015 at 13:59

        OnTheFence, IndAgent and Harree…I've got to take my hat off, your sticking to the script perfectly which is to paint the picture that everyone is trying to get around the one other portal rule and not everyone is dropping it and now your saying that KFH are sending our letters saying their still on RM and Z. It's pretty desperate guys.

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        1. PeeBee
          February 2, 2015 at 14:39

          "… now your saying that KFH are sending our letters saying their still on RM and Z. It's pretty desperate guys."

          ESPECIALLY when all you have to do is check on Z to see that KFH are no longer advertising there…

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          1. ukpropmaster
            February 2, 2015 at 14:43

            Not sure PeeBee. While it's true that KFH aren't listed on Z by name, there are a suspicious number of their properties in my area that are being dual-listed with the same independent, who happens to be on Z… Not necessarily accusing them of anything, but the article about "creative ways" of getting around the rule certainly has got me thinking.

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          2. OnTheFence
            February 2, 2015 at 16:16

            Sure the properties may not be there but the impression to potential sellers is that their property will be marketed on all the portals; check out 'Why use KFH' on their website and you'll see the same there 'Marketing your property' – Major property portals including Rightmove, Zoopla and Prime Location; no mention of OTM! http://www.kfh.co.uk/residential-properties/sales/selling/why-use-kfh.htm

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          3. PeeBee
            February 2, 2015 at 19:13

            ukpm – interesting… and time will tell no doubt whether your suspicions are justified. I truly hope they aren't.

            OTF – a mahoosive own goal there by KFH – and one that could very well land them in deep doo-doo with AM… who need to be dealing with this. I am sure I'm not alone in saying that I could have a field day in my area if I wanted to draw attention to the powers that be those Member agents whose websites etc are saying the wrong things. But AM set the goalposts – it's up to them to ensure they don't get moved by the players.

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          4. Yorkshire Agent
            February 2, 2015 at 21:05

            I have just looked at the site and I think it is a simple oversight, I expect this will be amended as soon as it is brought to their attention.

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    2. Gump
      February 2, 2015 at 16:20

      I'm still on Zoopla, hit me up. £20 ono a listing, all postcodes covered, guaranteed acceptance! Discretion assured/expected 🙂

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    3. HJ12
      February 2, 2015 at 20:11

      Has anyone checked their website????? Fair enough have your opinions but At least write about facts instead of making things up.

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  14. IndAgent
    February 2, 2015 at 12:28

    Many of our local OTM agents are still showing the Zoopla/Primlecation logos on their websites. This is almost as bad as still being on the sites. One agent is showing all three inc OTM (no longer listing on ZPG). The public will not be aware of the one other portal rule and will trust what they see on the agents sites etc. Is this the same inyour area? Surely even for those stuck in the dark ages it's not difficult to update a website.

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  15. Paul H
    February 2, 2015 at 13:22

    Hi Robert…."Mark Twain wrote wisely on such matters Paul. With the numbers now known and the effects on both RM an Zoopla also known that one rule needs reviewing urgently and follow up calls, 3666 of them, need to be made if the stated aims of AM are to be achieved."…The site has just launched and Springett is only a few hundred off his target of 5000, the next target is another 3000 by year end. That's 11 months away. There is absoloutly no reason why he would even consider dropping the one other portal rule, no chance at all considering there are so many more options available to him to get the numbers up, why on earth would he want to risk the whole venture now.

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    1. PeeBee
      February 2, 2015 at 13:36

      "…why on earth would he want to risk the whole venture now."

      On the obverse – why WOULDN'T he, Paul H?

      Remember – t'ain't HIS money he's playing with – it's Members'…

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      1. Paul H
        February 2, 2015 at 13:45

        "On the obverse – why WOULDN'T he, Paul H? Remember – t'ain't HIS money he's playing with – it's Members'…"…That may be so, but there's a bit more on the line then money here. PeeBee, he doesn't need to drop the one other portal rule now, his on target (give or take a few hundred sign ups) and his created the disruption required. Personally there is not a cat in hell chance of him dropping it not this year anyway.

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        1. PeeBee
          February 2, 2015 at 14:11

          "Personally there is not a cat in hell chance of him dropping it not this year anyway."

          So – what you're saying is that there IS a cat in Hell's chance, Paul H… just not now… in your opinion. ;o)

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          1. Paul H
            February 2, 2015 at 14:22

            Yep, but by next year the battle would have been won old boy…meaning there is no chance of him dropping it. 😉

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    2. Robert May
      February 2, 2015 at 14:19

      He wouldn't be risking the venture Paul it makes sense to work of if the one portal rule is working well enough to warrant keeping it and such an assement can only be made if the full list of objections is known and understood. OTM (not AM) is vulnerable right now; now everyone knows what it does and its effects on RM and Z others like Houser will be eying up if there is an opportunity. The way Agents like Harree are being treated and how they obviously feel about OTM shows there is room to distub the market still further with a solution that satisfies the 15400 branches who haven't joined so far.

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      1. Paul H
        February 2, 2015 at 14:27

        Robert, why would OTM change course when it is bang on target? The only reason why Harree & IndAgent feel disturbed is because no OTM agents are being swayed by their strategy of trying to give the impression that everyone will sign up if they drop the one other portal rule.

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        1. Robert May
          February 2, 2015 at 14:55

          I am not saying the rule should be dropped, simply that the effect of dropping it should be investigated.

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          1. Paul H
            February 2, 2015 at 15:05

            I'm sure it has as im sure has every other option open to Springett at this moment in time, but in my view there is no reason to change the course. Just look at the new site, the amount of agents and stock…more importantly leads are coming in, why would he need to change it is my point.

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  16. PeeBee
    February 2, 2015 at 14:03

    "Since last Wednesday… we have received three valuation leads… That is two more valuation leads than we have received from Z in the last three months!"

    Talk me through THAT one, Harree – How do you all of a sudden attribute your presence on Z being noticed when you were seemingly invisible to the selling public (and presumably to the BUYING public also…) prior to last week?

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    1. Ric
      February 2, 2015 at 14:06

      Hey good point, I've only finished drying my eyes with laughter!

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      1. RealAgent
        February 2, 2015 at 14:57

        Especially mystifying as he has stated on here before that he is one of the LEADING agents in his area……One has to conclude therefore that if he suggests these valuations are down to his now supreme presence on Z, one of his statements is clearly untrue!

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        1. Property Pundit
          February 2, 2015 at 15:58

          Come on guys we all know he really is NOT an agent but he's damn good at keeping the impression going.

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    2. Woodentop
      February 2, 2015 at 17:52

      PeeBee you beat me to it. Harree there is a lot of truth in the saying "you get caught out sooner or later" or you are not a very good agent if that's your level of listing over a 3 month period without Z. Mind you, you do spend an awful amount of time on the keyboard which could account for not being at work. I have a tendency to lean towards PP view on the matter.

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  17. PeeBee
    February 2, 2015 at 14:06

    "Goss herself concludes "…in this digital age, when we rely on smartphones for everything from ordering a takeaway to buying shares…" ". Yeah – good examples. NOT good examples, Ms Goss, are homes for sale or rent. Quicker you learn that the more accurate your writings will become.

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  18. agent123
    February 4, 2015 at 12:43

    I am an agent who decided not to leave for OTM. My enquires have more than doubled form Zoopla since the launch. In Chester Rightmove advertises more than 350 properties to rent, whereas Zoopla only shows 150. As I predicted the consumer still has no idea about OTM. Is anybody getting good leads from OTM yet?

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